The Taliban have claimed that Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11 terror attacks on the United States, was not involved in the attacks and it was used as an excuse by the Americans to wage war on Afghanistan.
Speaking to NBC News, Taliban spokesman Zabibullah Mujahid said in an interview, “Even after 20 years of war, there is no evidence of his (Osama bin Laden) involvement (in the September 11, 2001 attacks).”
“There was no justification of this war, it was used as an excuse by the Americans for war,” said Mujahid.
Asked if the Taliban can guarantee Afghanistan will not again become a host to terrorist organisations like the al-Qaeda that carried out the 9/11 attacks, the Taliban spokesperson said that they have repeatedly made promises that terrorism won’t get a safe haven on the Afghan soil.
Zabibullah Mujahid said, “When Laden became a problem for the Americans, he was in Afghanistan. But there was no proof of his involvement and we have now promised that the Afghan soil won’t be used against anyone.”
Asked about the women who are living in fear of losing their rights under the Taliban rule, Mujahid said, “We respect women, they are our sisters. They should not be afraid. The Taliban have fought for the country. The women should be proud of us, not scared.”
In the NBC interview, when asked about the thousands of Afghans who are leaving the country fearing the Taliban regime, Mujahid said, “We don’t want our countrymen to leave the country. Whatever they have done in the past, we have given them amnesty. We need our country people, the young and educated folks for the nation. But if they want to live, it’s their choice.”
Afghanistan fell to the Taliban blitz on August 15 after the Talibs swept through almost the entire nation. Thousands of desperate Afghans have since been trying to flee the country and are waiting outside the Kabul airport.